Eagles Defend Home Turf in Sixth Annual Flag Football Tournament

Akwesasne - The Akwesasne Eagles Youth Flag Football club hosted its sixth annual flag football tournament Saturday, September 23rd at Generations Park. Nine North Country youth teams participated with players ranging from Kindergarten through 2nd grade.

Eagles Team Black won the tournament with a 14-7 win over Eagles Team Grey in a very close finals matchup. Late in the first half, Wayne Tillman at the QB position rolled out to his right and threw a touchdown pass to a streaking Karakwatiron Barreiro on 4th down from the six yard line to put Eagles Black up 7-0. Two plays later following the score, Eagles Grey running back Rohatiio Cook-Francis got loose of the outside containment and galloped 65 exciting yards down the sideline to tie the game 7-7 going into halftime.

The second half was a tight defensive affair as the two teams both pulled crucial flags to stop the offensive drives of their opponent. Easton Oakes and Richard Lazore of Eagles Grey were defensive stalwarts and pulled many flags. For Eagles Black, Karakwatiron Barreiro, Terrell Benedict, Preston King and Cree Ransom formed a wall that was tough to run against. With six minutes remaining in the game and the Eagles Black Team driving, Wayne Tillman executed a QB keeper & fake pass, freeing himself for a 25 yard touchdown run to his left that held up for the game winner. Eagles Black is now 10-0 for their season record.

Both Eagles teams played very strong, playing five total games each on the day. Eagles Grey lost to Eagles Black in the first semi-final 7-0, placing them in the loser's bracket. Eagles Grey then faced Massena Red in the second semi-final for the right to again face Eagles Black in the championship. In this semi-final game the teams were tied 7-7 at the end of regular time. Eagles Grey won the coin toss and the game entered sudden-victory overtime with the ball and a chance to win the game. On second down, Rohatiio Cook-Francis lined up in the backfield. He took the handoff to his right, juked out a Massena Rd player and was gone down the right sideline running towards the Bears Den Generations Park Scoreboard for the game-winning touchdown. The crowd roared as Rohatiio got past the defense and ran for the winning score. What an exciting game for the home crowd and a great ending for Eagles Grey. Eagles Grey is now 6-4 on the season.

Karakwatiron Barreiro led Eagles Black with eight touchdowns over their five games including one passing to Cree Ransom and one Receiving TD. Through 10 games he has scored 18 touchdowns. Wayne Tillman scored six times on the day with two huge scores in the finals. Cree Ransom, Terrell Benedict, Avery Thompson, Adrian Thompson, Tehotsirathe King, Charlie Farwell, Jovie Thompson, Preston King, Adrian Thompson, Rariwakerons Silver and Thunder Rourke all scored touchdowns on the day. Ransom, Barreiro, Thompson and Tillman pulled many flags on the day and formed a fearsome defense.

Eagles Grey went 3-2 on the day with their only losses by one score to Eagles Black. Eagles Grey were led by Easton Oakes, Rohatiio Cook-Francis and Richard "Loonie" Lazore throughout the day with each boy scoring several touchdowns. Kamden Cole, Vance Oakes, Annie White, Joseph Terrance, Jaxon Laughing, Watehronhine Francis all made strong contributions to their team.

Eagles Black are coached by Tsiorasa Barreiro, Anthony Tillman and Geebic Silver. Eagles Grey are coached by Dillon Cole and Joe Terrance. Helpers include Jordan Thompson and Jo-Jo Lazore.

The Akwesasne Eagles Youth Flag Football Club sends thanks to all the teams who participated from Malone, Massena, Canton and Tri-Town. Niawenko:wa to Mary Terrance and the Generations Park staff for preparing the fields, they were in excellent condition for the teams. The new scoreboard worked great and really made the games feel special. Nia:wen to Tribal EMS/Seaway Valley Ambulance for being stationed at the park throughout the day.

Nia:wen to Mohawk School for allowing us to use their field for games as well. Nia:wen to all the parents who donated to, and worked in, the concession especially Angela King, Randi Barreiro, Terri Lazore and Darlene King. Nia:wen to TMG for their donations of Tim Bits and coffee.

Nia:wen to all parents, relatives and community members who came out to support the little guys and girls.

Also special thanks to our Club Sponsors: Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Community Partnership Fund and East End Gas.

The Eagles have two more weeks remaining in the 2017 season with games on September 30th at Canton HS and a season-ending Tournament at Massena on October 8th.